One of the foremost British trade union leaders of recent times, Bob Crow, died tragically three years ago this spring.

At fifty-two years of age, the former Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) leader was at the height of his influence. He died from a heart attack, likely brought on as much by the stressful demands of his job as his willingness to speak constantly around the country in defense of progressive causes.

As many of the mainstream newspapers at the time rightly commented, Bob Crow was one of the few well-known trade union leaders among the public. His blunt manner and fiery language combined with militant aims and effective negotiating skills won him support among workers and enemies among the business elites. After all, Bob Crow led a union whose members in rail transport still wielded significant collective power.